Impetigo and pyoderma may indicate serious medical/surgical problems. With adequate clinical and laboratory experience, a primary care physician may be able to diagnose and treat impetigo and other bacterial pyodermas with topical and oral antibiotics. A referral to a dermatologist would be indicated if: The diagnosis was uncertain. Lack of satisfactory response to treatment […]
We all knew it was coming. After years of pushing back the deadline, it’s official: On October 1st, 2014, health care practitioners and clinics have to start using the 10th Clinical edition of the International Classification of Disease (ICD-10). Is your office ready for the switch? Is your software capable of the task? Do you […]
When I began studying medicine, I envisioned practicing general primary care as a naturopathic physician helping the underserved. Since starting work at HealthPoint in 2006, I’ve been able to accomplish just that. Healthpoint (formerly known as Community Health Centers of King County) is a large community health care organization assisting underserved populations of greater King […]
[Editors Note: From time to time, Vital News publishes articles and information on issues not directly related to practicing naturopathic medicine, but which are relevant for running a successful business and being successful financially. We’re grateful to Sandy Voit for offering us a number of topics in this area. As the former Dean of Students […]
There are certain commonalities that are relevant to state proposed single-payer plans. Of interest to natural medicine are those features that pertain to private practice physicians and primary care providers, definitions which generally fit naturopathic physicians (NDs) in states that offer NDs licensing. In states that do not offer licensing to naturopathic physicians some of […]
As we hope you are aware, beginning in January 2014, naturopathic physicians will be eligible to participate in the Washington state Medicaid program – now also known as ‘Apple Health.’ This is a significant achievement for our profession in terms of recognition and inclusion of naturopathic medicine in the health care system. Since Medicaid serves […]
“This program has changed my practice. No single thing in the last 10 years has had such a positive impact on my practice and my patients as this program, so thank you!” These words from a Washington State emergency room physician are typical of the feedback we’ve received about a relatively new program called the […]
By the time you read this article, you should be aware of the Federal Regulation changes that apply to “Covered Entities.” These changes strengthen the privacy and security protections for health information established under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Here is a brief summary of the Final Rule: • Many […]
(Part 2 of the 3-part series) First introduced to the House of Representatives in 2003, H.R. 676, the national version of the universal single-payer health care plan, is very much like Medicare. One entity collects all the fees and pays all the clinics and doctors. A single-payer plan eliminates the excessive administrative costs inherent in […]
Medical Marijuana The process by which naturopaths provide authorization for patients seeking access to medical marijuana/cannabis is fraught with risk because many providers do not understand the limitations contained in the statute (Ch. 69.51A RCW). This is further complicated by the total failure of the new Naturopathic Board to promulgate regulations and educate their profession. […]